Maybe what I need to do is find some time and revamp and simplify my website.

The economy is going down the drain. I have less time on my hands. I'm spread too thin with community work. I'm getting old. I may have to start thinking about retiring this blog...

As many of you know, I've been designing T-shirts as fundraisers for the web portal site I run, TaiwaneseAmerican.org. Since the very successful "Stinky Tofu Walks Alone" design, no other has matched its popularity. Over past year, I've been thinking about various designs for a bah-tzang (the Taiwanese tamale) design... but just couldn't get it right. Or at least one that I thought would achieve all my goals. Of importance to me was that a design that conveys the uniqueness of the Taiwanese bah-tzang, even if you've never eaten one before. Also, the design had to differentiate it from the similar Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean or other Asian styles of preparing it. Most who are familiar with the Taiwanese one knows its ingredients well and also know it has more of a triangular shape compared to ones you might find in a typical Chinatown. It took about a year for me to come up with an idea which would subtlety display Taiwanese pride for this favorite food, yet still be stylish to wear. And so here it is. Finally. It's really much cooler if you look at it for awhile.




Buy one at: http://taiwaneseamerican.org/promote.html

Shawna's new friends.

Happy Birthday Harmony!

Friend: i feel like if one visits HoChie, one will enjoy a meal of some sort with HoChie, one will get a new, one of a kind piece of clothing, and some pictures with HoChie on facebook.
Friend: it's like a tourspot!
HoChie71: haha
HoChie71: it's true
HoChie71: you may even get an autograph
Friend: sweet
HoChie71: package deal.
HoChie71: some VIP visitors claim they have gotten a hug too.
Friend: with online booking???
Friend: haha
HoChie71: definitely
Friend: i'll keep all this in mind when i look into a west coast visit.

*cue music
*flash images of appetizing food, clean guest rooms, and beautiful panoramic bay view.
*fade to slogan: Hotel HoChie - the place to be.

High above Chicago with Shawna.

Let the kids entertain themselves.

Liz and Cindy are fab!

Author and admirer.

I am...

TAF 2008: "a profound impact..."

Tea break in NYC.

TANG Conference near Philly, and reunion with Rolla!

Best of the East Bay Festival.

The view from my deck still amazes me (and others) after six years.

Cruisin' with style in Charlie's submarine.

July 4th at Eric's.

Silly girl!

Chillin' at Ray and Joanna's condo.

Mochi ice cream at Bubbie's!

Dinner with fellow Taiwanese Americans in Hawaii.

Tiki bar!

Tiffany lost her voice, but she can still smile!

Cute smiles #1.

OMG. Our kite actually flies!

Cute smiles #2.

It's my TAYL Cranky Crew!

We sneak out for a pre-camp brunch.

My favorite strawberry redhead!

Sweets on a summer day.

A beautiful secret garden hidden in the city neighborhood.

A picture perfect hostess, Ms. Jeanie.

Linda in the Zen garden with a secret admirer.

Eat me.

DIY Hoodies with Shawna!

Ilha Formosa, Beautiful Island.

A proud supporter of Formosa Films!

The theme of the day is squares and grids.

After lunch at Asia De Cuba with Amy.

The view from the top of the Westin Hotel.

My Berkeley neighbors and TAYL crew.